Background
Derrick was born and raised in Washington, District of Columbia.
Derrick was born and raised in Washington, District of Columbia.
He is most notably makeup artist to Oprah Winfrey and First Lady Michelle Obama. His early education was at the prestigious Georgetown Day School in Washington. After which he received a music and academic scholarship to Webster University in Saint Louis.
Rutledge returned to Washington in 1984 and began working as a makeup artist.
He began his rise to prominence as a celebrity makeup artist when under the recommendation of former Mission United States of America and Real Housewives of Atlanta, Kenya Moore, he became her makeup artist at Black Entertainment Television while she guest hosted Video Soul. While at Black Entertainment Television, Derrick Rutledge worked with many legendary divas of Black music and Hollywood.
Including Chaka Khan, Patti Labelle, Beyonce, Yolanda Adams and Cece Winans. His work has been featured on the covers of Essence Magazine, American Association of Retired Persons, and Oprah Magazine.
In September 2014, Mr.
Rutledge was featured on Entertainment Tonight as part of the team creating a glamorous four cover shoot for the September issue of O! Magazine Derrick currently resides in his hometown of Washington, District of Columbia